Auricular anthropometric growth study in individuals with trisomy 21

In this study, we aimed to measure the auricle dimensions of individuals with Down syndrome, which are known to have different anomalies, and to evaluate the auricle development from birth. A total of 18 groups were formed, consisting of individuals from the neonatal period to age 18 years. Additionally, individuals older than 18 years old were added as an adult group (19 groups in total). Each group has 20 individuals. Measurements were taken in six dimensions. These measurements included the distance from the suprahelix to infralobule (A), helix to tragus (B), antihelix to tragus (C), conchal attachment point to tragus (D), suprahelix to the mastoid, (E), and helix to mastoid at the tragus level (F). It was found that the A value reached adult size at the age of 13 in both boys and girls. For the B, D, and E values, it was found that sizes reach the adult size at the ages of 5, 8, and 7 for both genders, respectively. The C value reached adult size in boys by age 1, but there was no significant difference for girls between the adult and any age value. It was found that the F value reached the adult size at age of 4 for boys and 5 for girls. These results may be a guide for individuals with Down syndrome in terms of the surgical timing of the auricle if necessary.